Santon joined Inter on loan from Newcastle in the 2014-15 season having fallen out-of-favour on Tyneside, and made the switch a permanent one last summer.

However, he has had little luck in his homeland with regards to playing time and is set to return to the North East of England instead, with Sunderland having agreed a deal worth around £3 million for the 25-year-old.

Santon will now head to Wearside to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with Sunderland in a controversial move.

Davide Santon was a regular opponent of Sunderland's during his four years with Newcastle. (Photo: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Left-back cover, finally

Only a few players have sported both the red and white of the Black Cats and the black and white of the Magpies, with the rivalry running deep in the North East. The reception Jack Colback receives at the Stadium of Light after leaving for St. James' Park highlights this perfectly.

However, the man who made 94 appearances for Newcastle over the course of four years will finally give Sunderland the cover at left-back they so crave, and fans cannot argue with that.